Electabuzz Best Moveset
95 Sp. Atk at 105 Speed on Electric with Held ItemEviolite adding bulk since Electivire exists. The moveset runs fast special Electric TermStab. 83 Attack gives mixed options. The Speed is good enough to outrun most of the tier, but the damage output trails dedicated special attackers by a margin that matters.
105 Speed and 95 Special made Electabuzz a fast, hard-hitting Electric-type in Gen I (Red & Blue). Psychic coverage alongside Thunderbolt set it apart.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Psychic
- Submission
Recommended Teammates
Cross Chop gave it Fighting coverage that other Electric-types couldn't match in Gen II (Gold & Silver). A mixed attacker with real versatility.
Utility Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Cross Chop
- Thunder
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Three gens of consistent performance in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Electabuzz's Speed and movepool kept it viable even as more Electric-types entered.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Punch
- Hidden Power Grass
- Cross Chop
Recommended Teammates
Electivire evolved from it in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl), doing everything better with Motor Drive and higher stats. Electabuzz was outclassed by its own evolution.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Hidden Power Water
- Discharge
- Thunder Wave
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite couldn't save a Pokemon whose evolution existed with better stats and Motor Drive in Gen V (Black & White). No competitive reason to stay unevolved.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Electabuzz saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Thunder
- Thunder Punch
- Protect
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Electabuzz saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Electabuzz maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Vitalspirit with Lightball, favoring a Timid nature.
Pivot Moveset
- Volt Switch
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Electabuzz saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Electabuzz maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Focus Sash, favoring a Hasty nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Ice Punch
- Light Screen
- Thunderbolt
- Magnet Rise
Recommended Teammates
Electabuzz saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Electabuzz maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
Pivot Moveset
- Bulk Up
- Volt Switch
- Ice Punch
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Electabuzz Weakness
Ground moves hit Electabuzz for super-effective damage. Not many exploitable gaps in the Electric typing defensive chart. Electabuzz's special bulk (base 85 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying, Steel |
What is Electabuzz Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Electabuzz
Incineroar's Flare Blitz hits Electabuzz for 51-60%.
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Landorus builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Electabuzz View Incineroar builds →Knock Off28-33% Flare Blitz51-60% | ||
Evolution
Electabuzz connects Elekid to Electivire in this chain. At least one evolution here needs a trade. So far, Sp.Atk got the biggest boost (+30 from Elekid). The final form adds another 50 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Electabuzz to get Elekid eggs using 70 partners from the Humanshape egg group.
How to Get Electabuzz
The chain to Electabuzz requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Elekid at moderate rates and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Electabuzz in SV
To get Electabuzz, start by catching Elekid through walking encounters at Lv. 50-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ElekidCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldPolar BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCanyon BiomeLv.62Overworld
Step 2Electabuzz ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldSavanna BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCanyon BiomeLv.62Overworldor evolve from Elekid (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into ElectivireBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Electivire egg.
A trade step sits in Electabuzz's 3-stage chain from Elekid. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Elekid shows up at decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Electabuzz in PLA
The path to Electabuzz starts with Elekid at Lv. 26-56 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ElekidIcebound FallsLv.26-29GrassRate 15%Arena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%Cloudcap PassLv.53-56GrassRate 15%
Step 2Electabuzz ✓Arena's ApproachLv.45-55GrassRate 15%Icebound FallsLv.47-50GrassRate 15%Cloudcap PassLv.53-56GrassRate 15%or evolve from Elekid (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into ElectivireCloudcap PassLv.53-56GrassRate 15%or evolve from Electabuzz (Step 2)
A trade step sits in Electabuzz's 3-stage chain from Elekid. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Elekid shows up at moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Electabuzz in BDSP
The path to Electabuzz starts with Elekid at Lv. 16-63 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ElekidGlacial CavernLv.16-63CaveBrilliant DiamondRate 10%Unique encounterDazzling CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameWhiteout CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-game
Step 2Electabuzz ✓
Step 3Evolve into Electivire
A trade step sits in Electabuzz's 3-stage chain from Elekid. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Elekid shows up at decent rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Electabuzz in SwSh
The path to Electabuzz starts with Elekid at Lv. 60-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ElekidFrigid SeaLv.60-65GrassRate 20%ThunderstormGiant's FootLv.60-65GrassRate 20%ThunderstormThree-Point PassLv.60-65GrassRate 20%ThunderstormBallimere LakeLv.60-65GrassRate 19%ThunderstormGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 18%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 15%Thunderstorm
Step 2Electabuzz ✓Ballimere LakeLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormFrigid SeaLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's FootLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%ThunderstormThree-Point PassLv.60-65OverworldRate 10%Thunderstormor evolve from Elekid (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into ElectivireBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Electivire egg.
Base Stats
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Electabuzz's Speed does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Speed EVs per KO. Tough to catch, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Many power plants keep Ground-type Pokémon around as a defense against Electabuzz that come seeking electricity.
Electabuzz Guide
At 490 BST, Electabuzz is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Electivire before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground) when using Electabuzz. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Electabuzz's base 105 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
No. Electabuzz only evolves into Electivire through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in . Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Electabuzz to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Electirizer must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
Static has a 30% chance of paralyzing attacking Pokémon on contact. That's the one you want on Electabuzz. Vital Spirit is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Electabuzz is a mixed attacker with base 83 Attack and 95 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Electabuzz appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Electabuzz have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves